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Chasing Rainbows

There is no state in the union with a better claim to its nickname than Hawai’i, “the Rainbow State.” While these bands of color are most plentiful during the rainy season (December to February), they pop up all year round. Best of all, finding one is simple—if you know where to look. Here, our advice for making sure you get the perfect photo opportunity on your Maui honeymoon.

Get science on your side. Yes, rainbows occur after the rain, but in order to see one and stay dry, you can travel to a spot where it isn’t raining but from which you have a good view of the precipitation. One of the island’s best vantage points is the I’o Valley, where there is almost always a light mist in the air.

Schedule wisely. The rising sun creates the largest rainbows. During most of the year, by nine in the morning the sun has already risen too high in the sky for the best view. As a result, you should consider asking for an early wake-up call and heading out as soon as the sun starts to peek over the horizon.

Be patient. If you don’t want to wake up early, the next-best way to make sure that you get to see a rainbow is to settle on a beach or hillside after one of Maui’s notorious late-afternoon showers and wait until the spectacular colors emerge. Bring along a bottle of champagne, as well as a pair of glasses, and towels to sit on, borrowed from your hotel. Set up your spread, and make yourselves comfortable for a while.

Position yourself properly. Once you’ve found a good place to look for rainbows, stand or sit with your back to the sun and gaze toward the horizon, which is the part of the sky where a rainbow would appear.

Aim high. One of the most impressive rainbows to spot is one that’s 360 degrees. What’s the best way to make sure you get a glimpse of that elusive full circle of color? Take one of the many helicopter tours that fly over the island. From above, sightings of these natural wonders are practically guaranteed.

—Laurel Delp

My, Oh Maui!

Sure, it's got sun, sand and surf, but we've found 10 other great reasons to fall in love with this Pacific island treasure.

by Mary Hardesty

RSS

My husband and I fondly remember our magical honeymoon on Maui , 20 years ago, when the island was so underdeveloped that the airport baggage-claim area was a grass hut. Even though Maui currently attracts visitors with luxury hotels and world-class restaurants, the big draws are still those gorgeous beaches and sunsets. Here, the top 10 reasons to book a honeymoon on Maui now.

1. Rise and shine. Taking a boat trip to Molokini atoll for some snorkeling is a must for romantic adventurers, but make sure you go in the morning. In the afternoon, the trade winds come up and make for poor visibility, a choppy ride and limited photo opportunities. Sign up for a trip with Blue Water Rafting, and you’ll take a half-hour ride along the breathtaking Kanaio Coast, passing the famous lava arches and exploring inside several caves. Finally, you’ll motor over to Molokini, beating most of the big boats to the good snorkeling spots (bluewaterrafting.com).

2. Explore the shore. While many of Maui ’s best beaches appear to be for the exclusive use of resort guests or homeowners, state law requires public access. Look for tiny signs that point the way to the very narrow, often hidden paths. Our favorite stretch is Makena Beach , just south of Wailea Beach , located on Makena Road between the quaint Keawalai Church , built in the 1800s, and the 310-room Maui Prince Hotel. This is one stunning stretch of sand, and it has showers and restrooms (mauiprince.com).

3.Stroll “Sunset Boulevard.” The pedestrian path that runs along Wailea Beach near the 780-room Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa is a perfect place to watch the sun slip into the Pacific. Walk through the hotel’s sculpture collection and past the white cabanas of the adults-only pool until you hit the beach. Turn left and saunter down the path, past multimillion-dollar condos and multimillion-dollar views (3850 Wailea Alanui, Wailea; grandwailea.com).

4.Book a table for two. Has the sea air put you in the mood for local seafood? Nick’s Fish Market Maui is the place to go. While you’re waiting for your table, order a glass of champagne or crisp, summery white wine from the spectacular glass-enclosed, 2,000-bottle cellar, and ogle the yellow tang fish in the 800-gallon tank. It’s worth the extra wait to sit outdoors under the flowering stephanotis vines. (Who else but a couple of honeymooners would know that this is the flower grooms traditionally wear as their boutonnieres?) Order Chef Kyle Yonashiro’s sautéed abalone, served on a gleaming mother-of-pearl shell it’s a winner (4100 Wailea Alanui, Wailea; 808-879-7224).

5.Head for the treetops. Skyline Eco-adventures offers a zip-line ride that will have your adrenaline pumping. You'll be strapped into a harness, and sent soaring along on a wire, suspended in open air, passing over gulches, canyons and treetops along the slope of one of the world's largest volcanoes. Be sure to wear sneakers for the invigorating hike through the rain forest that follows (skylinehawaii.com).

6. Go west. Make for the sleepy western town of Makawao , where you'll find a wide variety of craft boutiques and antiques stores. Don't miss The Avalene Gallery, which features the work of local artists: If you don't have room in your new home for one of Tom Faught's huge ceramic vases (with enormous price tags), you can find hand-turned wood bowls that are less expensive. Back at home, you'll think of Maui whenever you toss a salad (1156 Makawao Avenue, Makawao; 808-572-8500).

7. Take a spin. The best way to see the Haleakala volcano: a pre-dawn bike ride down its face. Maui Mountain Cruisers offers early morning rides, complete with parkas, helmets and gloves (hey, it's cold up there). Dozens of bikers make this run, so each company is assigned a start time, and Maui Mountain is always the first company to leave the top. You'll watch the sun come up over the crater, and then you'll coast 38 miles downhill, past black-and-white cows and colorful tropical flowers (15 South Wakea Avenue, Kahului; mauimountaincruisers.com). Prefer a slower pace? Try Maui Troopahz's Eco Adventure Hike, a half-day tour that includes a continental breakfast and a deli-style lunch—and still allows you time to hit the beach (22 Alahele Place, Kihei; mauitroopahz.com).

8.Fly high. Sure, the Hana Highway is beautiful, but it's also a slow, winding, 53-mile road, with 54 one-lane bridges. Some of the local guides call the fourth turn of this twisting road the "Key Toss" turn because they see so many couples stopping the car, arguing and throwing their keys in anger. Instead of taking turns at the wheel, enjoy the view together by splurging on a full-day private "Hana Safari" with Star Maui Limousine Service (limohawaii.com). Better yet, instead of driving, consider taking a 45-minute Alex Air helicopter tour of eastern Maui . The views of the thundering waterfalls are spectacular ( helitour.com).

9. Stay in. A great way to end a busy day: Order room service and watch the sunset from your balcony. At the 510-room Sheraton Maui Resort, the "Pearl of the Pacific" seafood appetizer. Make it even more of an event with the four-course Ali'i Royalty Dinner, which costs $90 per couple and includes a salad of local kula greens topped with papaya seed dressing, as well as fresh fish, and cheesecake made with Hawai'i's native passion fruit (called lilikoi). It's a sweet and tropical taste of the island you won't forget (2605 Kaanapali Parkway, Lahaina;sheraton-maui.com).

10. Just relax. You can get spa treatments all over the island, but the three-and-a-half-hour "Romantic Interlude for Two," given at the Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea, may very well be the most sensual. You'll have separate baths and loofah scrubs. Then, the two of you will reunite in a private room overlooking the Pacific, where masseuses will swathe you in heavenly sandalwood body wraps and draw you a romantic bath with floating flowers. The interlude ends with a side-by-side massage…and a nap on a private lanai overlooking the ocean (3850 Wailea Alanui, Wailea; grandwailea.com). Another spa to consider: the one at the 806-room Hyatt Regency Maui Spa and Resort. Relax and unwind with a "sun relief" facial, featuring a soothing aloe vera green tea mask. It's the perfect end to a beach honeymoon (200 Nohea Kai Drive, Lahaina; maui.hyatt.com).

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